Bond of Friendship

Samwise carries Frodo up the slopes of Mount Doom

Lord of the Rings is a movie that continues to captivate me.  I was especially fascinated with the bond shown between the Hobbits Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee.  From the beginning of the story, Samwise commits himself to ensuring Frodo is safe from harm, and fulfills his obligation to destroy the Ring of Power.  Throughout the movie, Samwise provides food, protection and sage advice for Frodo.

More than once, Samwise saved Frodo's life.

This reminded me of a bond of friendship that is shown in the Old Testament, David and Jonathan.  Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.  When Jonathan's dad, King Saul, wanted to kill David, Jonathan warned David.  Jonathan helped David hide, and they parted in tears, swearing loyalty to each other in the Lord's name.

I find myself thinking about the emotions of this bond.  Very few friendships in this world could be defined as strongly as the bond shown by David and Jonathan, or even the bond shown by fictional characters Samwise and Frodo.

What keeps us from bonding so tightly?  Let's explore the definition of bonding.

Bonding is the ability to establish an emotional attachment to another person.  It's the ability to relate to another on the deepest level.  When two people have a bond with each other, they share their deepest thoughts, dreams, and feelings with each other with no fear that they will be rejected by the other person. ~Dr. Henry Cloud

Can you think of anyone in your life you have this level of trust and intimacy with?  If you cannot, think about why.  Do you have fears of rejection based on some past experience?  Do you have anxiety about your own shortcomings that keep you from sharing with others?  If so, think about our heavenly Father.  He made you in His own image.  He knows your deepest thoughts and failures, and He loves you.  He will never reject you or forsake you.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.  

Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.

If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.  

We love each other because He loved us first.

~1John 4:7, 18-19 (NLT)